Envelop-fastening



Patented Aug. 30, I898.

No. 6l0,099.

c. L. SMITH. ENVELOP FASTENING.

(Application filed June 24, 1897.)

(No Model) Emmi Clyde mffh.

nrrnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLYDE L. SMITH, OF LEIPSIO, onro.

ENVELOP-FAISTENING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 610,099, dated August 30, 1898. Application filed June 24, 1897. fierial No. 642,100. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CLYDE L. SMITH, of Leipsic, in the county of Putnam and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Envelop-Fastenings; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention has reference to a novel construction in an envelop-fastening, the object being to provide an inexpensive construction whereby envelops and similar packages may be sealed readily and effectually, while the construction is such that they cannot be opened without a certain manipulation of the parts.

The invention consists in the features of construction hereinafter fully described and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawin gs,formin g part of this specification, Figure 1 is a plan of an envelop constructed in accordance with this invention and with the sealing-flap extended. Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1 with the sealing-flap fastened. In this figure the parts are also shown extended in dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a perspective View in detail of the fasteningplate.

In said drawings, 1 indicates the body of the envelop, which may be of ordinary construction, and 2 the sealing-flap. The edges of the sealing-flap are strengthened by the pieces 3, while the rear side of the envelop is provided with a slot ltoreceive the end portion of said sealing-flap. It is preferable to reinforce the portion of the rear side of the envelop surrounding this slot 4, and for this purpose thesaid portion of the envelop is made double conveniently by turning down the blank from which the envelop is formed to make a double thickness. The end of the sealing-flap 2 extends about one-third of its length into the slot and is provided on its inner face with a fastening-plate 5, having a hooked 'end 6, consisting of a flange, while the plate is also provided with the fasteningfingers 7, that are passed through the, said sealing-flap and bent upon themselves to hold the plate in position. I

In sealing the envelop the said sealing-flap is merely inserted Within the slot and. it is found to fasten the same. To unseal, it is necessary to place the forefinger beneath the flap and move the flap toward the bottom of the envelop and then Withdraw. This invention is extremely simple and can be easily manipulated. The cost is very low, and it will successfully withstand hard usage which the class of mail to which it belongs is subjected. It will not become unfastened accidentally, even if roughly handled, and, furthermore, when it is necessary to seal a large number of these envelops for mailing a great amount of time is saved, owing to the fact it is not necessary to seal the envelop, as the same is self-fastening by reason 'of the insertion of the sealing-flap within the slot.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination with an envelop provided with a slot and a sealing-flap adapted to enter said slot, of a fastening-plate secured to said sealing-flap and having a hooked end adapted to engage the upper walls of said slot, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination with an envelop provided with a slot, and a sealing-flap to enter said slot, of a fastening-plate secured to the inner face of said sealing-flap and having one end bent upon itself to form a hook which is adapted to engage a wall of said slot when the sealing-flap is inserted in the same as and for the purposeset forth.

3. The herein-described fastening for envelops, consisting of a plate having fingers projecting from sundry edges thereof, and by which it is attached to the sealing-flap of the envelop, and having another edge bent to form a hook, as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CLYDE L. SMITH.

Witnesses ELLIS W ROBEBTS, J 0s. BUTLER. 

